PMC to Frame Tougher Construction Norms to Safeguard Metro Tunnels

The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) is preparing stricter construction regulations for buildings coming up above underground metro tunnels, following concerns over damage risks in the city’s dense redevelopment zones.

Pune | 26 March 2026: Alarmed by a recent incident of alleged tunnel damage during a redevelopment project in Shukrawar Peth, the Pune Municipal Corporation has initiated steps to introduce stringent construction rules for projects located above metro tunnel alignments.The move was announced by Municipal Commissioner Naval Kishore Ram, who said new technical guidelines are being drafted to prevent construction-related activity from endangering metro infrastructure, particularly in Pune’s old wada areas where redevelopment work is rapidly increasing.Officials said the new framework is being planned to ensure that redevelopment and new construction activity does not compromise the safety of underground metro corridors, especially in the congested core city areas.

The decision comes after a borewell drilling operation reportedly caused damage to a metro tunnel on the Swargate–Shivajinagar route, leading to water seepage inside the underground structure. The incident, which occurred in Shukrawar Peth, triggered immediate concern among civic and metro authorities, as the area lies directly above a critical underground metro stretch.

Following the complaint, police registered a case against the property owner and the contractor involved in the redevelopment project. Civic officials said the case has highlighted the urgent need for tighter scrutiny of drilling and excavation activity in sensitive zones.

According to PMC sources, the affected metro corridor includes nearly a 6-km underground stretch, built around 100 feet below ground level. The route passes through densely populated and historically significant neighbourhoods of central Pune, where redevelopment of old structures is currently underway at a large scale.

Officials said that due to the depth and complexity of underground metro infrastructure, even minor drilling mistakes could pose a serious threat to tunnel safety, passenger security and long-term structural stability.

Under the proposed regulations, PMC is considering making technical scrutiny mandatory before granting construction permissions for projects located near or directly above metro tunnels. Authorities are also likely to introduce a separate permission system for borewell drilling and deep excavation, which has been identified as a major risk factor.

Sources said developers may be required to obtain formal approvals from metro authorities, submit structural safety assessment reports, and ensure technical supervision at construction sites. On-site monitoring by qualified engineers may also be made compulsory for projects in identified high-risk areas.

PMC officials said the focus will remain on old wada localities where narrow lanes, ageing structures and high redevelopment pressure create additional challenges for infrastructure protection. Several ongoing projects in these zones are now being reviewed to assess whether their construction methods comply with safety standards.

Municipal authorities stressed that the objective is not to halt redevelopment but to ensure that construction activity is carried out responsibly and without compromising critical public infrastructure.

With metro expansion and central Pune redevelopment progressing simultaneously, the PMC’s proposed policy is expected to play a key role in balancing urban development with safety, preventing future incidents and ensuring uninterrupted metro operations.

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